Not even a first-over trip could derail Stag Party from capturing the first elimination of the Metro Pace in a career-best clocking of 1:51 for trainer Casie Coleman and driver David Miller.
Stag Party was in no hurry in the early going, but the same couldn’t be said for Cruise Captain. That colt shot to the top and fired the field past the opening quarter in :27.1 before giving way to Shake That House. That youngster was then overtaken by Semi Tough, who proceeded to wheel the group past the mid-way point in :55.4.
Stag Party commenced a first-over rally from sixth as the field headed into the final turn. He pressed Semi Tough to the three-quarter pole in 1:24 before kicking into another gear. Stag Party thundered home in :27 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Semi Tough. Rounding out the top five finishers were Shake That House, Lyons Johnnyjnr and Buddy Hill.
“Casie told me he just wasn’t right health wise (last week) and she got him good in a week and he went a big trip tonight,” said Miller when asked about the rebound victory. “She does a great job conditioning horses and getting them ready.”
John Fielding, Mac Nichol, McKinlay & Fielding and West Wins Stable share ownership on the son of Bettors Delight-My Lady Day. The colt improved this year’s resume to 5-2-0 from seven tries while pushing his earnings to $197,489.